Been looking forward to _Testament of Mary_ since it opened, but now must take a refund on my ticket, as it's closing before I can get to NYC. I'm saddened by the culturally pervasive dearth of imagination and creative empathy that marks so much stifling commentary about this play. It seems many people would rather be critical than think critically when they are invited to see something in a new light. As someone who appreciates the sacred Mary, I was looking forward to this bold exploration of her humanity. I applaud the imaginative forces involved in putting on this production. From all I've read and the interviews I've seen, it seems this play offers a compelling "Ecco Femina." Sorry I won't get to behold this Mary--in all her human, suffering complexity. Hope I will have the chance to see the admirably brave and talented Ms. Shaw in another play. Just have to keep watching those amazing clips of her in _The Waste Land_ until then. Art, too, is my religion, and blasphemers abound!

I was in NYC on a business trip and was naive about the play. I was drawn to it by some sort of the vague sense and idea that the play would be intriguing and complex. It turns out that this was a powerful performance of an intriguing concept and an original viewpoint of Christianity and modern culture. This is an important play in that it forces a new look at old ideas and challenges our way of accepting ideas and dogma that need to be questioned and challenged. The performance was incredibly well done, (acting, stage set, lighting, music), and it was exceedingly good to see a highly trained actress at the peak of her craft and carry it out in a beautiful technical performance that made a striking and powerful impression. I can see why this show isn't the standard Times Square money maker. I observed that the other audience members appeared to be local residents and hard-core theater devotees. It was a real privilege to be there; looking for future performances by Ms. Shaw and Co.

As a Catholic i went into this play thinking this story would be somewhat similiar to the Davinci Code in its skepticism of Jesus' history and for the most part i was right. My review is not based on the story at all, it is about the playwright's depiction of a figure that is well known to be sacred to Catholics. To have the Virgin Mary, well venerated as the holiest woman in history and without sin by Catholics worldwide on stage smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol and stripping naked is a disgrace. You can throw skepticism on any religion's "dogma" or whatever you'd like to call but do not blatantly disrespect what other people view as sacred to earn a few extra dollars. If the play was just about Mary's interpretation of Jesus that would have been fine. But the depiction of Mary was deplorable and it is made worse by the fact that the playwright used to be Catholic. It is fine to disagree with the views of religion but you must respect what people hold dear even if you don't.

Terribly sad that people (writer, actress and others who assisted with accepting, producing, and marketing the play) use their talents to promulgate the mocking of a religion such as Catholicism and see no wrong in doing so. Freedom of expression is a gift and in my opinion an artist encourages growth, and respect between communities not spiritually tear them asunder. I am saddened by those who within the model of creative expression seek not to understand but to disparage and promulgate their own interior hatred and doubt be it through the seeming expression of a harmless benign play. This play tells me more about those who developed, supported and produced it who greatly lack understanding and faith of the beauty and love of Mary in her relationship with Christ her son than of the actual play itself. I find no entertainment value in creative expression of humans who without thought support the spiritual destruction of others. I pray for awakening of your dead and embittered spirits.

Please note: The term Walter Kerr Theater as well as all associated graphics, logos, and/or other tradermarks, tradenames or copyrights are the property of the Walter Kerr Theater and are used herein for factual descriptive purposes only. We are in no way associated with or authorized by the Walter Kerr Theater and neither that entity nor any of its affiliates have licensed or endorsed us to sell tickets, goods and or services in conjunction with their events.